Online Degrees For Adults With Busy Lives

Thinking about going back to school, but not sure you have the time? It might be time to log into online education.

By Terence Loose

Do you want to go back to school to earn a degree that could help you
pursue a new career, but wonder "Where am I going to get the time?" We
get it. You've got a job, family, maybe even kids. You're an adult, with
very little time.
But don't lose hope - online education might be a good fit for you and your busy schedule.
In fact, over 90 percent of all academic leaders rate the scheduling
flexibility of online as ''superior'' or ''somewhat superior'' to that
for face-to-face instruction, according to a 2011 online education
report published by the Babson Survey Research Group, and co-published
by the College Board, a nonprofit research organization that promotes
higher education.
And with online education often giving students the option of
attending class from anywhere, it's not hard to believe that online
learning could be a viable option for busy students.
Ready to earn a degree on your time? Read on for five popular online degrees for adult students.

Are you the one in your household who balances the checkbook and
makes sure the taxes are filed on time? It might be time to upgrade
those skills by pursuing an online bachelor's degree in accounting.Adults Welcome: This online degree not only gives
you the flexibility you need to advance your education, but for adults
looking to change careers, "It's also a very practical, career-focused
degree," says Heathfield.Click Here to Find the Right Online Accounting Program.Degree Highlights: Not sure you want to sign up for
classes in how to count beans? Good, because according to the College
Board, this degree prepares you to do much more. In fact, they say
you'll not only learn to analyze and record financial data, but also
communicate your findings to business management and individuals.Related or Potential Career(s): In addition to
accountant, this degree prepares you to pursue a career in auditing.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, most accountant and auditor
positions require a bachelor's degree in accounting or one in a related
subject.

If you spend a lot of time on the computer - and who doesn't these
days - pursuing an online bachelor's degree in computer science might be
just the way to make that computer time even more productive.Adults Welcome: If you're an adult with the goal of
getting a degree that could impress a variety of employers, then
computer science is a good choice, says Heathfield. "It is the best
degree I can think of for the future and employment options, because
every business relies on computers or a network of them," she says. Click Here to Find the Right Online Computer Science Program.Degree Highlights: Does a fairly rigorous program
featuring some math get you fired up? We hope so, because Heathfield
says that's likely what you'll get with this online degree. The College
Board highlights the fact that this degree teaches students programming
and the theory and design of computer software.Related or Potential Career(s): Most computer
programmers have a bachelor's degree in computer science or in a related
field of study, says the U.S. Department of Labor. These people often
write code to create software programs.

Are you good with people? Are you gifted at quickly summing up their
strengths and weaknesses? An online bachelor's degree in human resources
could refine your natural talents into marketable skills.Adults Welcome: This is a great degree for an adult student for a few reasons, says Heathfield.
"It's a practical and versatile degree, in my opinion. Employers of
all industries are recognizing that one of their most valuable assets is
their staff, so knowing how to find, or keep, good people is a great
skill to have," says Heathfield. She adds that adults may be more
suitable for this online degree since they often have a lot of
experience dealing with or working with people in both the workplace and
life. Click Here to Find the Right Online Human Resources Program.Degree Highlights: In this degree, you might take
courses that ask questions such as: What makes people want to work? How
does being part of a group affect the way people act? How can leaders
change the culture of an organization? You'll also study how to handle
business issues, from staffing and training, to health and safety in the
workplace, says the College Board. Related or Potential Career(s): Human resources
specialist and human resources manager are two positions for which the
U.S. Department of Labor says employers usually want a bachelor's degree
in human resources or business administration. Qualifying for a
managerial human resources role - which means recruiting, screening,
interviewing, and training workers - usually also requires work
experience, says the Department of Labor.

Have you always pictured yourself studying medicine, but you aren't
sure your schedule permits the demanding years of medical school? An
online certificate or associate's degree in medical assisting could help
you pursue a career in the health field at a faster pace. Adults Welcome: "This is a degree that will teach
skills needed in the booming health care industry," says Heathfield. And
an online certificate or associate's degree in medical assisting can be
completed in as little as one or two years, respectively, making each a
great fit for a busy adult lifestyle.Click Here to Find the Right Online Medical Assisting Program.Degree Highlights: The College Board says that
medical assisting programs teach students how to help doctors with both
administrative and clinical tasks. Typical classes, according to the
College Board, include medical terminology, medical software
applications, pharmacology, diseases of the human body, and more.Related or Potential Career(s): Yes, believe it or
not, online medical assisting certificate and associate's degree
programs are designed to help you pursue a career as a medical
assistant. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, "There are no
formal educational requirements for becoming a medical assistant in most
states. However, some medical assistants graduate from formal education
programs, and employers may prefer such training." This includes
certificate and associate's degree programs.

Do you like the idea of helping to put more bright smiles in the
world? Well, your shining personality might help on this front, but an
online associate's degree in dental assisting will likely be much more
effective. Adults Welcome: As a busy adult, time is probably
scarce and the faster you can get something done, the better. And while
completion times do vary by student, an associate's degree in dental
assisting could be a great option if you're looking to pursue a new
career sooner rather than later. In fact, this degree is attainable
online in as few as two years.Click Here to Find the Right Online Dental Assisting Program.Degree Highlights: Are you ready to learn how to do
everything from taking dental x-rays and whole mouth impressions to
sterilizing equipment and keeping dental records in order? That's what
this major will teach you, thanks to classes like dental radiology, oral
anatomy, dental records, and more, says the College Board.Related or Potential Career(s): Not surprisingly, an
online associate's degree in dental assisting is designed to help you
pursue a career as a dental assistant. The Department of Labor also says
different states have different requirements for this position, ranging
from no formal education requirements to graduating from an accredited
program and passing an exam. Formal education programs could lead to
certificates, diplomas, or associate's degrees.